Port staff is recommending the commissioners give exclusive negotiating rights for the project to San Francisco Waterfront Partners – a joint venture between the Jefferson Co. and Putnam Waterfront Partners. The commissioners will vote this week on the proposal and are expected to follow staff recommendations.

The Port began seeking a qualified developer last March. Parcels available for development have about 49,100 sf of existing building area including upper floors and parcels for public access have about 11,200 sf. The selected developer will be required to design, construct and operate the project under a long-term lease.

Three development teams initially submitted proposals for the Piers project - Waterfront Partners, Embarcadero Waterfront Partners (Levin Menzies Kelly & Associates LLC) and Watermark Partners LLC, a joint venture between Fidelity Partners Inc. and ING Realty Partners. Waterfront Partners was ranked higher than its competitors by the port staff and consultant Keyser Martson Associates in all areas including experience, development concept and project feasibility.